Device and method for securing a transducer in position

Abstract

An assembly and method for positioning a fetal heart transducer against skin. The assembly includes a strip having first and second ends and openings along its length, first and second fixation devices, each device having first and second surfaces, the first surface having adhesive thereon. A protuberance extends outwardly from the second surface. The assembly includes a fetal heart transducer. The first fixation device is secured to the skin at a first location and the protuberance of the first fixation device is received into a first opening on the first end of the strip. The first surface of the second fixation device is secured to the skin at a second location and the protuberance of the second fixation device is received into a second opening on the second end of the strip. The fetal heart transducer is secured between first and second fixation devices and beneath the strip.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An assembly for securely positioning a fetal heart transducer against the skin of an expectant mother, the assembly comprising:
 strapping having a length, the length having incremental openings thereon; 
 first and second securing devices, each securing device comprising a body having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having adhesive thereon, and a protuberance extending outwardly from the second surface in a direction opposed to the first surface, the protuberance to be received by one of the incremental openings in the strapping; and 
 the fetal heart transducer having a first skin contacting transducer surface and a second transducer surface opposed to the first transducer surface; and 
 a wedge attachment having a wedge base, a wedge body and a wedge button, the wedge base sized to be smaller than the second transducer surface, the wedge body having a sinusoidal profile in both front and side aspects, the wedge button being disc shaped and located at the top of the wedge body, the wedge button sized to be received into at least one incremental opening along the length of the strapping, whereby the first surface of the first securing device is secured to the skin surface of the expectant mother at a first location and the protuberance of the first securing device is received into a first incremental opening on the strapping, and the first surface of the second securing device is secured to the skin surface of a patient at a second location and the protuberance of the second securing device is received into a second incremental opening on the strapping, and the wedge base is positioned on the second transducer surface between the fetal heart transducer and the strapping, whereby when the strapping is pulled taut, the first skin contacting transducer surface is angled at least 10° from the horizon and against the mother's skin. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wedge attachment is comprised of an elastomeric foam. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the strapping is comprised of medical grade fabric. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the adhesive is medical grade. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the assembly further comprises an additional device a to be received by at least one opening of the strapping along the length of the strapping between the first and second openings. 
     
     
       6. A method of anchoring a fetal heart transducer to the skin surface of an expectant mother comprising the steps of:
 providing a strip of elastic material having a length, and having incremental openings along the length thereof, the strip having first and second ends; 
 providing first and second securing devices, each device comprising a body having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface having adhesive thereon, and a protuberance extending outwardly from the second surface in a direction opposed to the first surface, the protuberance to be received by one of the incremental openings along the length of the strip; 
 providing a fetal heart transducer having a first skin contacting transducer surface and a second transducer surface opposed to the first skin contacting transducer surface; 
 providing a wedge attachment having a wedge base, a wedge body and a wedge button, the wedge body having a sinusoidal profile in both front and side aspects, the wedge button being disc shaped and located at the top of the wedge body, the wedge button sized to be received into at least one of the incremental openings along the length of the strip, 
 determining the desired position of the fetal heart transducer; 
 positioning the first securing device at a first location adjacent to the desired position of the fetal heart transducer by placing the first surface of the first securing device against the skin surface of the expectant mother thereby affixing the first securing device in place; 
 positioning the second securing device at a second location adjacent to the desired position of the fetal heart transducer and opposed to the position of the first securing device, the positioning occurring by placing the first surface of the second securing device against the skin surface of the expectant mother thereby affixing the first securing device in place; 
 causing an incremental opening at the first end of the strip to be received into the protuberance of the first securing device; 
 causing an incremental opening at the second end of the strip to be received into the protuberance of the second securing device; 
 positioning the fetal heart transducer beneath the strip so that the first skin contacting transducer surface is adjacent to the skin surface of the expectant mother; and 
 positioning the wedge base on the second transducer surface and causing the wedge button to be received into one of the incremental openings along the strip, whereby the first skin contacting transducer surface remains adjacent and angled at least 10° from the horizon and adjacent to the skin surface of the expectant mother. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the wedge attachment is comprised of an elastomeric foam. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  wherein the strip is comprised of medical grade fabric. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6  wherein the adhesive is medical grade. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 6  wherein the fixation devices are circular in cross-section.